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Negative Life Events in Childhood as Risk Indicators of Labour Market Participation in Young Adulthood: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study

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  • Thomas Lund
  • Johan Hviid Andersen
  • Trine Nøhr Winding
  • Karin Biering
  • Merete Labriola

Abstract

Background: Most previous studies on reliance on social benefits have focused on health, sickness absence, work environment and socioeconomic status in adulthood. Extending the focus to include early life circumstances may improve our understanding of processes leading to educational and occupational marginalisation and exclusion. The aim of this study was to investigate if multiple negative life events in childhood determined future labour market participation, and to identify important negative life events for labour market participation in young adulthood. Methods: Of a cohort of 3,681 born in 1989 in the county of Ringkjoebing, Denmark, 3,058 (83%) completed a questionnaire in 2004. They were followed in a register on social benefits for 12 months in 2010-2011. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate associations between negative life events in childhood and future labour market participation, taking into account effects of socio-economic position, school performance, educational plans, vocational expectations and general health. Results: A total of 17.1% (19.9% males, 14.4% females) received social benefits for at least 4 weeks during follow-up. Labour market participation decreased with number of negative life events, especially for females: Females who had experienced their parents’ divorce, had been abused, or had witnessed a violent event, showed decreased labour market participation, when adjusting for SES, school performance, educational plans, vocational expectations and general health at baseline. Attributable fractions ranged from 2.4% (parents’ alcohol/drug abuse) to 16.1% (parents’ divorce) for women. For men, risk estimates were lower and insignificant in the most adjusted models. Attributable fractions ranged from 1.0% (parents’ alcohol/drug abuse) to 4.9% for witnessing a violent event. Conclusions: Information on childhood conditions may increase the understanding of determinants of labour market participation for young adults. Knowledge of negative life events in childhood should be taken into account when considering determinants of labour market participation and identifying high-risk groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Lund & Johan Hviid Andersen & Trine Nøhr Winding & Karin Biering & Merete Labriola, 2013. "Negative Life Events in Childhood as Risk Indicators of Labour Market Participation in Young Adulthood: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(9), pages 1-1, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0075860
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075860
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lundberg, Olle, 1993. "The impact of childhood living conditions on illness and mortality in adulthood," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 36(8), pages 1047-1052, April.
    2. Rahkonen, Ossi & Lahelma, Eero & Huuhka, Minna, 1997. "Past or present? Childhood living conditions and current socioeconomic status as determinants of adult health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 44(3), pages 327-336, February.
    3. Max Henderson & Charlotte Clark & Stephen Stansfeld & Matthew Hotopf, 2012. "A Lifecourse Approach to Long-Term Sickness Absence—A Cohort Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(5), pages 1-7, May.
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    1. Ose, Solveig Osborg & Jensen, Chris, 2017. "Youth outside the labour force — Perceived barriers by service providers and service users: A mixed method approach," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 148-156.
    2. Herbert, Laura & Comeau, Jinette & Smith, Carrie & Smith-Carrier, Tracy & Saxby, Christopher & Botelho, Natashia, 2023. "Child maltreatment and adult economic outcomes: A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    3. Bennetsen, Signe K. & Kreshpaj, Bertina & Andersen, Signe Hald & Rudmer de Vries, Tjeerd & Thielen, Karsten & Lange, Theis & Rod, Naja Hulvej & Elsenburg, Leonie K., 2025. "Childhood adversity, early school leaving and long-term social benefit use: A longitudinal mediation analysis of a population-wide study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 370(C).
    4. Amiya Bhatia & Maryam Parvez & Jodie Pearlman & Fred Kasalirwe & Ligia Kiss & Agnes Kyamulabi & Eddy J. Walakira & Karen Devries & Clare Tanton, 2022. "The Epidemiology of Young People’s Work and Experiences of Violence in Nine Countries: Evidence from the Violence against Children Surveys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-19, December.
    5. Vinnerljung, Bo & Brännström, Lars & Hjern, Anders, 2015. "Disability pension among adult former child welfare clients: A Swedish national cohort study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 169-176.
    6. Elsenburg, Leonie K. & Kreshpaj, Bertina & Andersen, Signe Hald & de Vries, Tjeerd Rudmer & Thielen, Karsten & Rod, Naja Hulvej, 2025. "Childhood adversity trajectories and not being in education, employment, or training during early adulthood: The Danish life course cohort (DANLIFE)," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 371(C).

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